San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks – NFC Championship Game Preview

The Seahawks may have wrestled the NFC West from the clutches of San Francisco this year, but the 49ers could have the last laugh when they defend their NFC championship against their bitter division rivals in Seattle.

The two teams split their regular season meetings this year; the Seahawks crushed San Francisco 29-3 in Seattle, while the 49ers returned the favor with a close 19-17 win at Candlestick Park.

NFL Football Betting Preview: 49ers vs. Seahawks

Game Details:

When: 6:30 PM ET, January 19, 2014

Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

Odds:

*As of January 13, 2014.

Money: 49ers (+105) vs. Seahawks (-125)

Spread: 49ers (+3) vs. Seahawks (-3)

Totals: 39.5

Betting on the San Francisco 49ers

Despite winning their last six games of the regular season, San Francisco fell one game short of defending their NFC West crown and with it, the no. 1 seed and home-field advantage.

But being a wild card and going on the road hasn’t fazed the 49ers one bit. After impressive wins at Green Bay and at Carolina, the Niners are now 8-2 SU on the road this year, and are unbeaten against the spread (7-0-2 ATS) over the last nine games.

Colin Kaepernick’s playoff numbers may be unspectacular (211 yards/game, 53% completion, 2 TDs in two games), but he’s getting the job done, thanks in large part to his two primary receivers. Michael Crabtree (8 catches, 125 yards) was the star against Green Bay, while Anquan Boldin (8 catches, 136 yards) shined in Carolina. [sc:NFL240banner ]

But against Seattle, who has the NFL’s best pass defense, the running game figures to be San Francisco’s best means of offense. The Niners are averaging 147 rushing yards/game in the playoffs, and they ran for 163 yards in their home game win against the Seahawks in Week 14.

The 49ers offense has scored just 23 points in each of their last three games, but their defense has been able to hold their opponents to less. In their victory at Carolina, the unit held the Panthers to just 10 points, sacked Cam Newton five times and picked him off twice.

The Niners are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games. Will San Francisco be celebrating another trip to the Super Bowl? Bet now on the San Francisco 49ers.

Betting on the Seattle Seahawks

The best home-field advantage in the NFL has struck again. The Seattle Seahawks – energized once more by their earthquake-inducing home support – are now 16-1 SU at home over the last two years after defeating the New Orleans Saints 23-15. Another home win next week would send Seattle to its second Super Bowl in franchise history. [sc:NFL240banner ]

The Seahawks – who were 9-point favorites against the Saints – probably should have covered easily, but their passing offense failed to muster anything all game. Russell Wilson had a disappointing game – just 9-18 for 103 yards – while his main receiving weapon Percy Harvin, who had only just returned from injury, was knocked out with a concussion.

Good thing for Seattle, Marshawn Lynch was in full Beast Mode against the Saints. Lynch carried the Seahawks offense with a franchise playoff record 140 yards – over 50% of the entire offense’s output – and 2 TDs. He also proved pivotal in their Week 2 home win vs. the Niners, with 3 TDs (2 rushing + 1 receiving).

Despite the Seahawks offense’s shortcomings (Seattle has averaged only 20 points/game in the last 5 games), their historically great defense is there to shut things down. The NFL’s best defense per DVOA shut out Drew Brees and the Saints for over three quarters. They’ve also picked off Colin Kaepernick four times in two meetings this season, three of which came in Seattle.

Can the 12th man be the decisive factor in propelling Seattle to the Super Bowl? The Seahawks are 8-1 SU at home this season. Bet now on the Seattle Seahawks.

Vote in our Poll:

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